title: Fatal embolization of ball portion of Starr-Edwards aortic valve prosthesis.
abstract: We report an unusual case of a Starr-Edwards aortic valve malfunction with fatal dislodgment and embolization of its ball portion to the distal abdominal aorta, just above the bifurcation, leading to sudden death. This case is unusual in that it is, to date, the longest time elapsed between valve placement and ball dislodgment.
authors.affiliation: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Woodland Hills, CA, USA.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Anders
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sathyavagiswaran
mesh_terms: D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery; D001344:Autopsy; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors